Meeting organised by Lewisham Workers' Liberty.
In the two years leading up to their 1922 “March on Rome” Italian fascists managed, largely through the highly-organised paramilitary violence of the squadristi (Black Shirts) to successfully paralyse the state and become a counter state.
In October 1922, in the face of a 30,000 strong march, the King refused to institute martial law and Italy's parliamentary leaders handed over power to fascist leader Benito Mussolini.
Yet in 1919-20, the fascists were weak, outflanked by a powerful trade union and socialist movement. In November 1919 1.8 million Italians voted for the Socialist Party. Strikes hit every sector of the economy in both urban and rural areas. In Turin and Milan armed factory councils were set up. In August and September 1920, starting in Milan, Turin and Genoa there was a wave of factory occupations.
Gramsci’s Ordine Nuovo (Socialist) group threw themselves into the struggle in Turin but the Socialist Party did not. The unions stymied the struggle, limiting it to a demand for a minimum wage.
With the workers’ movement on the back-foot and the left weakened and divided the fascists were able to grow through physical and political intimidation, backed by industrials and landowners. They met passivity and collaboration from the establishment.
What are the lessons today from the defeat of Italy’s working-class and the rise of fascism?
All welcome.
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